“I think last year, we were better than we thought we would be,” [Reid] Nichols said. “This year, I am optimistic and I feel good about the year. We have some players that will contribute. We have players that will be recognized by baseball.”

In addition to [Wily] Peralta and [Jed] Bradley, the organization has players like infielder Scooter Gennett, right-handed pitchers Taylor Jungmann and Tyler Thornburg along with infielder Taylor Green making strides.

This week’s Flashback Friday is a reprint of a combination season review (1987)/season preview (1988) from the 1988 Appleton Foxes souvenir program.

The cover of the 1988 program was part of the series that were designed and drawn by Paul Birling. I believe that I have called them LeRoy Neiman-esque.

The cover of the 1988 Appleton Foxes souvenir program.

Other Paul Birling covers on this blog are:1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, & 1992. As noted elsewhere, the Foxes modified the 1991 cover for use again in 1994. Like so:

1991:

The 1991 Foxes Program cover celebrates the 100th Anniversary of pro baseball in Appleton.

1994:

Just enough changes from 1991. This might make a good Spot the Difference for after the 2012 season.

And that would be post number 800! Thank you for coming back for more during the long offseason. Things will be picking up in the next few days and there will be no let up until the end of the Timber Rattlers schedule is done.

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